search

location

insurance

Medical questions & health advice by board certified doctors

"Should I be concerned about a bruise on my shin bone which has not gone away?"

Zocdoc›Answers›Should I be concerned about a bruise on my shin bone which has not gone away?

Question

I am in my 50s and ran into something metal with some force almost 8 years ago. There continues to be this brownish bruise there which shows more or less it seems depending on my activity and at times I think there is some swelling there but if there is, it is minimal. The pain which occurs is very mild and very dull. There is some discomfort to the touch but again it is very mild.I am rather sedentary and experience some swelling in the left ankle at times when I am sedentary for too long. I am wondering if there is any correllation between the bruising and the swelling of the ankle as they are both on my left side.

Answer

Your symptoms are concerning. I would recommend that you have this evaluated by your primary care physician. This could be a minor symptom that requires no intervention or could be a condition that requires intervention.
Firstly, a persistent skin change is concerning. A bruise alone should heal. A bruise, or ecchymosis as its medically known, is the process by which small blood vessels break and therefore release blood into the skin. These vessels should heal and therefore the ecchymosis should go away. If it does not this should be evaluated.
Skin changes may be consistent with a skin condition. This is to say that the skin changes may be unrelated to the trauma. Melanoma, actinic keratosis and squamous cell are all possible conditions. Another possibility is that this represents a vasculitis -- this is a chronic inflammation of the vessel that causes constant release of blood.
It is also possible that there is damage to a major vein. Leg swelling suggests there is some venous insufficiency. This can also be caused by a blood clot. If the vein was damaged during this trauma (or otherwise) it can cause chronic problems and therefore should be evaluated.
Talk to your doctor. This is concerning. Good luck!

Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc’s Terms of Service.

What is Zocdoc?

Managing your healthcare is easier than ever before with Zocdoc. Just search for a doctor in your insurance network, see available times, and book an appointment on the spot! You can read real doctor reviews from other patients, see the doctor’s background and education, view photos of the office, and more. It’s simple, secure, and free!

Search for answers

Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc’s Terms of Service.